Wheatstone bridge & strain gauges worksheet with answers

Free printable Wheatstone bridge & strain gauges worksheet: 6 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

For teachers: free to print, copy and use in class. Every new worksheet has new values and its own answer key. A link to ExamProblems on your course page is appreciated.

Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy
+−12 VR1​ = 80 ΩR2​ = 10 ΩR3​ = 500 ΩR4​ = 400 Ωab+−

The bridge shown is supplied with Vs = 12 V and its output is open. Find the current Is drawn from the supply, in mA.

Vs = 12 VR1 = 80 ΩR2 = 10 ΩR3 = 500 ΩR4 = 400 Ω
Is = mA
2.Easy
+−15 VR1​ = 500 ΩR2​ = 500 ΩR3​ = 800 ΩR4​ = 300 Ωab+−

In the bridge shown, Vs = 15 V, R₁ = 500 Ω and R₂ = 500 Ω. Find the voltage Va of node a with respect to the negative supply rail.

Vs = 15 VR1 = 500 ΩR2 = 500 ΩR3 = 800 ΩR4 = 300 Ω
Va = V
3.Medium
+−3 V250 Ω250 Ω + ΔR250 Ω250 Ωab+−29.41 mV

A bridge with four 250 Ω arms is supplied with 3 V. When the sensor R₂ changes, the output reads Vab = 29.41 mV. Find the exact change ΔR of R₂.

Vs = 3 VR = 250 ΩVab = 29.41 mV
ΔR = Ω
4.Medium
+−12 V400 Ω400 Ω + ΔR400 Ω400 Ωab+−Vab​ = ?

A bridge has four 400 Ω arms and Vs = 12 V. The sensor R₂ increases by ΔR = 40 Ω. Find the exact output Vab in mV.

Vs = 12 VR = 400 ΩΔR = 40 Ω
Vab = mV
5.Hard
+−2.5 V1000 Ω1000 Ω + ΔR1000 Ω1000 Ωab+−Vo​ = ?

A bridge with 1000 Ω arms is excited with 2.5 V and has one active gauge (quarter bridge). The gauge factor is 2 and the strain is 600 µε. Find the bridge output Vo in mV.

Vs = 2.5 VGF = 2ε = 600 µε
Vo = mV
6.Hard
+−3 V350 Ω − ΔR350 Ω + ΔR350 Ω350 Ωab+−Vo​ = ?

A bridge with 350 Ω arms is excited with 3 V and has two active gauges in adjacent arms, one in tension and one in compression (half bridge). The gauge factor is 2.05 and the strain is 1500 µε. Find the bridge output Vo in mV.

Vs = 3 VGF = 2.05ε = 1500 µε
Vo = mV

Answer key

  1. 1. Is = 146.7 mA
  2. 2. Va = 7.5 V
  3. 3. ΔR = 9.999 Ω
  4. 4. Vab = 285.7 mV
  5. 5. Vo = 0.75 mV
  6. 6. Vo = 4.612 mV

Full step-by-step solutions: practise this topic on examproblems.com.